Variable Diameter Phaco Tip Preventing Blockages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phacoemulsification and aspiration tips often become clogged with cataract fragments or anatomical tissues, leading to inefficient removal and potential damage to the eye due to the need for increased ultrasound energy and prolonged surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A phacoemulsification or aspiration tip with a lumen of variable diameters and a larger diameter at a bend, featuring a sharp-edged opening to shear fragments and prevent blockages, allowing for quick and effective removal of cataract fragments without clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a constant diameter lumen is used in the phaco tip, then the manufacturing is simple, but the tip becomes clogged with large cataract fragments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclog resistanceVSAvoidlumen structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lumen is divided into multiple sections with different diameters rather than using a uniform constant diameter. The segmented structure includes a first lumen section with a first diameter and a second lumen section with a second diameter, allowing different sections to handle different sized fragments and prevent clogging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the lumen are given different local properties (different diameters) to optimize their function. The first lumen section has a smaller diameter suitable for fine fragment removal, while the second lumen section has a larger diameter to prevent large fragment blockages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If ultrasound power is increased to remove blocked fragments, then fragment removal capability is improved, but damage to the eye increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragment removal efficiencyVSAvoideye damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design converts the potential harm of fragment blockages into a benefit by using the larger diameter second lumen section to naturally accommodate and remove large fragments without requiring additional ultrasound power, thereby preventing eye damage while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The larger diameter second lumen section acts as a pre-prepared cushioning capacity to handle large fragments before they can cause blockages, eliminating the need for high-power ultrasound interventions that would damage the eye

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the surgical procedure is prolonged to clear blockages, then complete fragment removal is achieved, but the duration of surgery increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete fragment removalVSAvoidsurgical duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The variable diameter lumen design enables continuous fragment removal without interruptions for blockage clearance. The different diameter sections work continuously to aspirate fragments of various sizes, maintaining uninterrupted surgical flow and reducing overall procedure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tip reduces the likelihood of blockages, shortening surgical duration, minimizing eye damage, and enabling faster patient recovery by efficiently aspirating fragments without the need for excessive ultrasound energy.

Implementation Method 1

The opening of the phaco tip can have a sharp edge to shear cataract fragments into smaller pieces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

the phacoemulsification tip vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency to break down the cataract

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a vacuum can aspirate the fragments to remove them from the eye via the incision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11395762B2Cataract phacoemulsification tip

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 MICHAEL JEROME DESIGNS LLC

AI summary

A phacoemulsification or aspiration tip is designed for use in cataract surgeries. The phacoemulsification tip (also referred to as a phaco tip) can reduce the duration and energy of cataract surgeries because the phaco tip is designed to reduce the likelihood that cataract fragments will become clogged inside the phaco tip. For example, the phaco tip has a lumen with variable sized diameters, which helps filter out larger cataract fragments that are more likely to clog the phaco tip. Further, the phaco tip can have a larger diameter at a bend to prevent blockages. The opening of the phaco tip can have a sharp edge to shear cataract fragments into smaller pieces that are less likely to clog the phaco tip. By preventing blockages using the phaco tip and reducing the duration of cataract surgeries, patients may recover faster from the cataract surgeries.